Machine gun mount



Sepia y 1946- v e. JOHNSTON 2AZS4 MACHINE GUN MOUNT Filed Dec. 3, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet l Maw mowm

Sept 11?, 19% G. JOHNSTON MACHINE GUN MOUNT '7 sheets sheet 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1942 Sept 17, 1%416,

MACHINE GUN MOUNT Filed Dec.- 3, 1942 G. JOHNSTON '7 Sheets-Sheet :5

Sept 1946. G. JOHNSTON l ZAWZQ MACHINE GUN MOUNT Filed Dec. 3, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 p 17, 19% J HIQSTON 2,407,884

MACHINE GUN MOUNT Filed Dec. 3, 1942 7 sheets-sheet 5 EEE.

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%p&'17, 1946. G. JOHNSTON MACHINE GUN MOUNT '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 3, 1942 j; uz/zmg WM Patented Sept. 17, 1946 MACENE GUN MOUNT Greenhow Johnston, Richmond, Va., assignor of one-half to Grecnhow Maury, Jr., Richmond,

Application December 3, 1942, Serial No. 467,770

26 Claims.

The present invention relates to a mount for machin guns and the like. While the mount constituting the present invention is particularly applicable for a machine gun, it may be used for instruments in general, including cameras, transits and sound instruments for detecting the approach of aeroplanes.

More particularly the present invention relates to a support or mount whereby a sub-caliber machine gun may be mounted on a movable vehicle such as a motor cycle, automobile, aeroplane, or the like.

In the prior patent, No. 2,085,024, granted June 29, 1937, there is described a mount for machine guns and th like which is particularly adapted to be supported from a motorcycle or imilar vehicle. Although the mount described in this form of patent functions satisfactoril for the purpose designed, it was not particularly suitable where the machine gun had to be quickly and easily removed from the mount.

One of the objects of the present invention therefore is to provide a mount for a machine gun or similar device wherein the machine gun may be quickly and easily removed and mounted on the mount.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a mount for machine guns or the like in which the gun is firmly held and locked in position.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a mount for machine guns or the like which is principally supported from the axle of the front wheel of a motor cycle.

A fourth object of the present invention is to distribute the weight of the mount of the character described so that the minimum stress will be put on the relatively fragile parts of the motor cycle.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a mount wherein the forward and rearward parts of a machine gun are capable of being securely held and at the same time may be easily removed from the mount.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a release mechanism capable of releasing a gun from a mount of the character described quickly and easily and positioned in proximity to the trigger and handle of the gun so that the gun may be removed by one hand of the driver of the vehicle upon which the mount is placed.

A seventh object of the present invention is to provide an improved trigger pull associated with a machine gun which may be mounted remotely therefrom,

An eighth object of the present invention is to provide an improved trigger pull involving remote control of the trigger of a machine gun, said trigger pull being associated with the handle bars of a motorcycle or the like.

A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a remote control trigger pull mechanism having a safety catch preventing accidental actuation thereof.

A tenth object of the present invention is to provide a trigger pull arrangement associated with a mount and incapable of interfering with the proper mounting of the gun upon the mount.

An eleventh object of the present invention is to provide a forward support for a mount of the character described which is capable of being adjusted to fit various types of guns.

A twelfth object of the present invention isto provide a mount for a machine gun or the like upon a vehicle with a remote control arrangement associated therewith.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and figures of the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a motorcycle, machine gun and mount therefor according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the device of Fig. l with the machine gun removed;

Fig. 3 is a detail taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail partly in section of the front support for the machine gun;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the support of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a portion of the support showing the support end of the trigger pull;

Fig. 6a is a detail section taken along the line i3a-5a of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the mount lock handle and associated parts;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a portion of the lock mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a perspective of the guide for the locking pawls;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the guide of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic illustration of one of the hook members and guide cooperating therewith;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 with the hook member in elevated open position;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the upper end of the mount of the present invention;

Fig. 15 is a vertical section of the mount show ing a trigger guard being placed thereon;

Fig. 16 is a Vertical section of the upper end of the mount with a trigger guard in position thereon;

Fig. 1'7 is a detail of the lock slot in the mount casing;

Fig. 18 is a detail of the tightening or looking cam;

Fig. 19 is a Vertical section of the upper end of the mount taken at a 90 angle relative to Fig ures 15 and 16, showing the locking handle in ie upper end of the lock slot;

Fig. 20 is a section similar to Fig. 19 with the handle in locking position;

Fig. 21 is a side elevation of a modified high level mount;

Fig. 22 is a plan View of the upper end of the mount of Fig. 21 with the gun removed;

Fig. 23 is a front elevation of the mount of Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a vertical section of the rear brace of Fig. 21 and gun support, and locking means associated therewith;

Fig. 25 is a section taken on the line 25-25 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a side elevation of a modified support for a machine gun;

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the upper end of the mount of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a detail of a base member for the gun mount;

Fig. 29 is a plan view of the base member of Fig. 28 in position on a vehicle and a modified trigger pull associated therewith;

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a foot operated trigger pull;

Fig. 31 is a detail of a trigger pull associated with a motorcycle handle bar.

Fig. 32 is a section taken on the line 32-32 of Fig. 31;

Fig. 33 is a view of a portion of the trigger pull mechanism, the wire casing and the handle bar being shown in section;

Fig. 34 is a section taken on the line tit-4M of Fig. 31;

Fig. 35 is a plan view of a portion of the trigger pull of Fig. 31 partly broken away;

Fig. 36 is a detail of a modified front clamp for the mount;

Fig. 37 is a detail vertical section of Fig. 36;

Fig. 38 is a bottom plan View of another modified front cla'mp arrangement;

Fig. 39 is a vertical section of the front clamp of Fig. 38;

Fig. 40 is a side elevation of a remote control arrangement;

Fig. 41 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 40;

Fig. 42 is an enlarged detail of the pointing mechanism of Fig. 40;

Fig. 43 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4343 of Fig. 42;

Fig. 4.4 is a vertical section taken along the line 4 l44 of Fig. 42;

Fig. 45 is a detail of the braking mechanism associated with the remote control of Fig. 40;

Fig. 46 is a detail of the trigger mechanism of Fig. 42.

Referring to the drawings and particularly Fig. 1 thereof, a mount indicated in general at in is here shown adapted to support a machine gun II. The mount it] includes a base portion [2 supported on the front portion of a motorcycle indicated in general at 13 by four channel members indicated at l5, l5, Iii and i1 respectively. Two additional channel members [3 and is are also provided which prevent the tilting move ment of the base l2. Each of the upper ends of the channel members l4, I5, l6 and H extend about the ends of threaded rod members 26 and El, the upper ends of the channel members it and I6 cooperating with the rod 22, and the upper ends of the channel members 15 and I! cooperating with the rod 21. As best shown in Fig. 15, the rods 20 and 2! extend" the full width of the base member I2 and are welded to the side flanges 2-2 and 23 of the base member. as indicated at 24 and 25. Nuts, such as nuts 25 and 21, are provided for securing the channel members on the rods.

Referring once again to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the lower ends of the channel members It and l! are bolted as by bolts 28 and 29 to a plate 38 suitably clamped on a portion 3i of the front fork of the motorcycle Hi. The lower end of the plate 35 is provided with a semicircular recess 32 which is adapted to fit over and be supported by a spindle 33 normally provided on a motorcycle and coupled to the axle 34 by a link 35. It is to be understood that the channel members [4 and i5 are similarly fastened to a portion of the motorcycle fork on the other side of the motorcycle. This arrangement enables the greater part of the weight of the :base member l2 to be carried by the spindles upon which the plates rest, and consequently by the front axle of the motorcycle to which the spindles are linked.

As shown particularly in Fig. 2, the rear ends of the channel members l8 and I9 are clamped to portions of the front fork by the bolts indicated at 36, 31, 38 and 39 and cooperating plates 42 and 4|. As best shown in Fig. 3, the plate 30 is clamped to the front fork portion 3| as by bolts 62 and 43 and plates 44 and 45.

Again referring to Fig. 15, it will be noted that the base member i2 is provided with a projecting hub portion 45 which is of circular shape. The hub 55 receives a similar hub 47, projecting from a disk member :58. The lower end of the hub 41 is threaded, as indicated at 49 to receive a nut 53 which secures the two hubs 46 and 41 together, while permitting relative rotation thereof. Interposed between the nut 50 and the hub 46 is a washer 5i and a .cotter pin 52 extends through openings in the nut 50 and the end of the hub ll to prevent the nut from unscrewing. A suitable leather washer member 53 is also provided between the disk member 48 and the upper surface of the base l2 for retarding the relative movement of the disk and base as set forth in detail in prior Patent No. 2,085,024, previously referred to. This arrangement provides a controlled drag for the movements of the gun and mount on the base, and also serves to absorb the shock of firing the gun. A thumb screw 53a is provided which is threaded into the disk member 48. This thumb screw may be tightened to bear against the leather washer member 53 to retard and/or lock the turning movement of the disk just described.

Extending upwardly from. the disk or turntable 43, and welded thereto as indicated at E4, is a standard 55 having a generally rounded upper edge. A brace 55 is also provided suitably joined at its upper end to the standard, and its lower end to the disk 38, A spindle 5'! extends from the standard 55 and functions as a horizontal pivot for the gun and main portion of the mount. The

main portion of the inount includes a casing 58, having a bearing portion 59 welded within its lower end, a cam 59 welded to the bearing portion 59, and a disk member welded to the cam. The bearing 59, cam 69 and disk 5I are all rotatably mounted on the spindle 51. Interposed between the disk 9 i and the standard is a washer 62 of leather or other suitable material having a similar function to the washer 53 previously described. The outer end of the spindle 51 is threaded, as indicated at 93, and an upper section of the threaded portion is cut away or flattened, as indicated at 54. A washer is slidably and non-rotatably fitted over the flattened portion of the spindle, and is provided with a spring pressed ball 66 projecting therefrom. The spring pressed ball cooperates with a plurality of notches 51 (see Fig. 7) on the inner face of a nut 58 threaded on the spindle 51. A look spider 59 is also provided between the washer 65 and the side of the casing 58 to prevent rotation of the washer 55.

It is evident therefore that when the nut 58 is rotated, the casing 53 will be moved to the left, as shown in Fig. 15, and the drag produced by the washer 52 against rotation of the casing 58 on the spindle 51 win be increased.

An additional means for checking the rotation of the casing 59 on the spindle 51 includes the cam 59 and the follower 19. The follower 19 is slidably mounted in a casing 1|, bolted to the disk 58, The follower 19 is urged against the cam 55 by a spring 12, hearing against a pin 13 on the V follower at one end, and against the casing 'II at its other. The pin may be adjustably inserted in a number of openings 1 in the follower to vary the tension of the spring 12. The end of the follower is provided with a composition shoe 15, cooperating with the cam 59. By providing the cam 55 with a low portion 16 (Fig. 6), the casing tends to remain in a position corresponding to the position of the low portion, and any movement from this position is resisted by the follower. In general, this position of the casing 58 corresponds to a horizontal position of the gun II, although the low portion 15 of the cam may be positioned to bias the casing 58 and the gun into any position.

Mounted within the casing 59 as by screws 11 and 19 is a frame member 19. Fitted within the frame member 19 is a slide 89 having projecting portions 81' and S2 at each end thereof. The lower projecting portion 82 is received in an opening in the frame member 19, and the upper projecting portion 3I projects through an opening in the top 83 of the casing. In addition to guiding the movement of the slide 89, this latter projecting portion 3i has another function to be hereinafter described. A pair of axles 84 and 85 also extends from the slide 89. As shown in Fig. 9, each of these axles is provided with a reduced portion 85 and 81 at said free ends. As shown in Fig. 16, each of these reduced portions carries a hook member. These hook members are indicated by the reference numerals 88 and 89. Each of these hook members includes hub portions 99 and 9t, angularly extending portions 92 and 99, vertically extending portions 94 and 95, and horizontally extending portions 95 and 91 adapted to grasp the trigger guard 98 of the gun II. As previously pointed out, the slide 89 is movable upwardly and downwardly in the casing 58. Upward movement of the slide 89 will carry the hook members 88 and 89 upwardly to project to a greater degree through the openings 5 99 and I99 in the top 83. The hook members and slide are shown in this position in Fig. 19. In Fig. 20, however, the slid 89 and hook members are shown in a lowered position. As the hook members 88 and 89 are moved upwardly and downwardly, they are guided away from and toward one another by the guide IilI', best shown in Figs. 10 and 11. The guide IUI is of general U shape in cross section, and includes the two portions I92 and I93 and connecting portion I94. The upper portion I92 is cut away at each end to produce a transverse projecting portion I95, and the lower portion I03 is slotted at I96 and I91 to provide two projecting portions I98 and I99 and a central projecting portion H9. The cooperation of the hook members and guides is best illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 where a single hook member indicated at 89 is shown cooperating with the projecting portions I95 and I99. As shown in Fig. 13, the line A-A thru the portions I95 and I99 is substantially perpendicular to the line BB thru the hook 89. This arrangement enables the portions I95 and I99 to be more closely spaced than if they were both in the same plane and hence not perpendicularly aligned relative to the axis of the hook 89, When the hook 89 is in elevated position, as shown in Fig. 13, the portions I95 and I99 still cooperate with the hook 89 to steady the same, although it will be noted that the portion I I9 is now spaced from the hook.

As best shown in Fig. 16, the guide I9I is held in position, as by a screw Iii, threaded thru the top 93 of the casing. It is evident from the foregoing that as the slide 39 is moved upwardly, the hook members 88 and 89, are spread apart by the guide I '9 I, and as the slide 89 is moved downwardly, the hook members are moved also toward each other as they move downwardly until, as shown in Fig. 16, they are in position to firmly grasp the gun trigger guard 98.

The slide 99 is moved upwardly and downwardly by a cam II2 which is positioned within a recess II 3 of the slide. (Figs. 19 and 20). As best shown in Fig. 8, the cam H2 is integral with a shaft I It, a cylindrical portion I I5 and a handle member H6. Also extending from the cam II2 is a bifurcated portion II I provided with openings H8 and H9 adapted to receive a pin I20 slidably mounted in a slot IZI in the member I 22. The member I22 projects from a disk I23 which is mounted between the frame member 19 and the casing 58, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20. A spring I24 is also provided which bears against the frame 19 and the slide 89. The pin I29 also extends thru the convolutions of the spring I24 so that the spring tends to move the bifurcated portion II1, the cam H2 and the handle to the right, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20. A cotter pin i29a holds the disk I29 in place. A bayonet slot I25 in the casing 58, best shown in Fig. 17, cooperates with the shaft H9 and the cylindrical portion II5. In Fig. 20, the cylindrical portion I I5 is within the large portion of the bayonet slot I25, while in Fig. 19 the cylindrical portion II 5 has been moved clear of the casing 58 and the shaft H4 is positioned in the narrow portion of the bayonet slot I 25. It may be noted that the cylindrical portion H5 may be moved from the position of Fig. 20 to that of Fig. 19 by pulling the handle I I6 outwardly, sliding the pin I29 in the slot I2I against the action of the spring I24 until the cylindrical portion H5 has cleared the casing 58, and then moving the handle upwardly. This movement of the handle will move the slide 89 d upwardly thru the cooperation of the cam H2 and the edges of the opening H3. This movement of the slide 81! will move the hooks 8S and S3 upwardly, and the upper ends of the hooks outwardly to the position of Fig. 15. Conversely, movement of the handle IIS downwardly will move the slide 38 and the hooks downwardly and inwardly to grasp the trigger guard 93. As shown in Figs. 18 and 9 the opening i 53 is provided with a stop member I26 which limits the rotational movement of the handle H5, the shaft H4 and the cam I I2. It is desired to point out also that the cam I I2 and sides of the opening H3 are eccentric relative to one another, and rotation of the shaft I'ifi. in a clockwise direction by the handle H6 will, therefore, move the slide 86 downwardly. This provision enables the hook members 8S and 89 to be given a slight downward movement after the initial downwardvmovement just previously described, so that all play may be removed and wear of the hook members and other parts may be compensated for. The handle is moved in a counterclockwise direction to loosen the hooks 83 and 89 just prior to moving the handle outwardly and upwardly to release the hooks 8S and 3;? from the trigger guard 93.

The mount of the present invention also includes a means to support the forward end of a machine gun or the like. Referring once again to Fig. 1, it will be noted that a member 521 extends forwardly at an angle from the casing 53 previously described. As shown in Fig. 6a, the member I27 includes an upper portion E23, a pair of side flanges I and I33, and a pair of fragmentary bottom flanges ISI and I32. An opening or slot I33, best shown in Fig. 6 is provided in the upper portion just beneath the magazine I34 of the gun II, so that when the magazine is removed from the gun Ii, it will drop into the opening I33 and rest on the lower flanges I3I and I32.

The forward end of the member i2? is provided with a notch I35, best shown in Fig. 5. The notch E35 is adapted to fit about the strap holding bracket normally provided at the front end of the gun Ii, as best shown in Fig. 4. As also shown in this figure, the side members 36 and I3! defining the notch I35, are bent downwardly to extend over the pin I38 normally provided on the gun l i. A projection I39 is also pro vided, so that the pin I38 rests in a notch be tween the projection I39 and the projecting portions on the members E36 and IE1. When the gun I I is mounted on the mount, it is drawn rearwardly so that the pin I38 slips into the notch, and then the rear of thegun I I and the trigger guard is pushed downwardly upon the clamping hooks previously described.

Referring to Figs. 36 and 37, there is here shown a modified arrangement for clamping the forward end of the gun II on the mount. As shown, a notch I 53 is also provided which is adapted to fit about the strap holding bracket assembly. Beneath the notch, however, there is provided a pair or" members it! and It? which are spaced to provide a notch I 53 beneath the notch MB. The members HM and IAZ are pivotally mounted on a screw ma which is in turn slidably mounted within the slot M5. The rear end of the members It! and I52 are formed into tails Hi6 and 5?. Extending through the tail M6 and threaded into the tail IQ! is a screw I48. The screw is provided with a pin I49 so that it is axially immovable relative to the tail I46. An opening or slot I] is provided so that the head of the screw I48 is accessible for turning. The turning of the screw will bring the tails I46 and I41 together, or move them apart to in turn widen or narrow the notch M3, so that the same will be capable of fitting any individual gun. This adjustability is increased by the sliding movement of the members MI and I42 which may be effected by loosening the screw I3 3 and moving the same in the slot IE5. In the modification shown in Figs. 38 and 39, a similar notch I5I is provided in the end of the member HT, and an angle member I52 is provided underneath the notch I5I. The member I52 is provided with a portion I53 which underlies the notch I5I. The angle member I52 is supported on the end of the member I21 by a screw I54, fitting into a slot I55.

.A bracket I58 is welded to the under side of the member I21, as indicated at I51. The depending portion of the bracket I56 is provided with a threaded collar I58 which receives a wing screw I59, provided with threads cooperating with threads in the collar I58. It is evident, therefore, that the member I52 may be moved forwardly by turning the wing screw IE3, and will be held in any position by tightening the nut ifiil on the screw I54.

Referring once again to Figs. 14 and 15, there is here shown a trigger operating mechanism including a trigger actuating member IE I pivoted at I52 on the disk 5!. The upper or free end of the member IiiI is provided with a bent portion I83 having a trigger actuating nose or hook I6 3. The straight portion of the trigger actuating member ifiI extends through a slot I55 in the top 83 of the mount, as best shown in Fig. 14. A spring I66, attached at one end to the trigger actuating member I6! and at the other end to a suitable eyelet on the inner wall of the casing 53 keeps the member in the position shown in Fig. 14. An actuating wire I6! is provided which is passed through and fastened in an opening I68a at the upper end of the member IGI. Movement of the wire IE! will, therefore, pull the bent portion I63 and the nose I64 into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 14 to pull the trigger of the gun I i.

i This movement, however, is prevented by the upper end of the hook 9'1, unless the gun and guard are in position upon the mount. This arrangement prevents the portion I63 from being accidentally pulled into trigger actuating position before the gun is placed on the mount, and consequently preventing placing the gun on the mount. The wire ISI extends downwardly through a tube I68, best shown in Fig. 6. The lower end of the tube IE8 is connected to the outer casing I69 of a Bowden wire assembly, wherein the Wire it! forms the core. As shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the Bowden wire extends downwardly through the opening i'l. As shown in Fig. l, the other end of the Bowden wire I 69 is connected to a trigger pull handle assembly, indicated in general at I13 and mounted on the handle bar H I of the motorcycle.

Referring to Figs. 31 to 35 inclusive, it will be noted that the outer casing its is fastened to a stationary portion H2 of the trigger pull handle assembly iii} by a set screw 2'53. The stationary portion I12 is clamped to the handle bar I'II, as best shown in Fig. 33, by a bracket H4. and bolts I75 and HE. A pivot or journal I'I'I extends from the stationary portion I12, and is provided with a slotted head I'lii, best shown in Fig. 35. Mounted on the pivot IT! for pivotal movement relative to the portion H2 is a movable member I79, provided with a handle 5%. shown in Fig. 35, the core wire I81 is fastened to the movable member I19 at I8I. Pivotal movement in a counterclockwise direction of the handle I50, as shown in Figs. 31 and 35, will, therefore, move the core I61 relative to the stationary portion I12 and the casing I89 of the Bowden wire. Since, as previously described, the wire I61 is fastened to the trigger actuating member I6I, such a movement will similarly move the trigger actuated member to actuate the trigger. The counterclockwise movement of the handle I80 is opposed by a spring I32, wound about the journal or pivot I11, as shown in Fig. 35, and having one leg bearing against the inner side of the movable member I19, and the other leg bearing against a portion, indicated at I 83, of the stationary member I12. A look is also provided which entirely prevents movement of the trigger, and consists of a lever I84, pivoted on a pivot I85, carried by a stationary portion, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 31, and designated by the reference numeral I86. The handle member I84 is provided at one end thereof with a pin I81, best shown in Fig. 34. A spring I641: nor mally biases the handle I 34 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot I85, so as to maintain the pin I81 in a notch I88 in the movable member I19. The handle I84, however, may be manually grasped and moved in a clockwise direction about the pivot I85 to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 32, to release the handle I80 and the movable portion I19, so that the trigger may be actuated. Since the handle I 84 is sheltered both by the handle bar and the handle I80, there is substantially no danger of the handle I64 being moved accidentally to release the handle I80, and thus a positive locking means is provided for the trigger actuated handle.

In Figs. 21 to 25 inclusive, a modified type of mount is shown for supporting the gun II at a higher elevation on a motorcycle. This type of mount includes a central supporting column, indicated in general at I89, and including hook members shown in Fig. 22 and indicated by the reference numerals I98 and IQI, which are entirely similar in operation to the hook members 88 and 89 previously described. Instead of a front support, however, a rear support, indicated in general at I92, is provided, which is adapted to fit the rear of the gun receiver.

The upper end of the rear support is cut away, and projecting from the cut away portion is a holder I523 pivoted on the pivot I94 in the upper end of the rear support. The holder I93 is provided with a pair of inturned upper edges I95 and IE6 fitting into the grooves normally provided at the lower rear end of the gun receiver. These grooves are indicated in dotted lines in Figure 24 by the reference character I91. A spring I98 is fastened to a pawl I99 at its lower end, as indicated at 200. The upper end of the spring bears against the lower surface of the receiving member I93, and normally biases the same angularly upward about the pivot I 94. When the gun is assembled with the rear support therefor, the rear end of the receiver is slid into the hold ing member I93, so that the two edges I95 and I96 enter the grooves normally occupied by the stock until the lower rear end of the receiver abuts the pivot member I94. The gun and receiving member I93 are then rotated downwardly about the pivot I94 until the upper end of the pawl I99 enters a notch ZBI in the lower rear end of the gun receiver which is normally provided therein. When the gun is then rotated downwardly so that the trigger guard is grasped type.

by the hook members I and I9I, the rear end thereof can not be removed from the holding mechanism just described. When the trigger guard is released in the same manner as previously described in connection with the mount of Figure 1, the gun can then be rotated upwardly about the pivot I94 and easily removed from the upper end of the support I92.

The support for the high mount, Figs. 21 to 25, inclusive, consists essentially of a pair of members 202 and 203, which may be fastened to the mud guard of the motorcycle, as indicated at 294 and 205, respectively. Supplementary supporting members are indicated at 206 and 201. These members may be carried by the upper portion of the front fork of the motorcycle by means of suitable brackets. An additional support 208 may also be provided which can be suitably fastened to the handle bar of the motorcycle, as shown in Fig. 21. In this type of mount, it has been found desirable to carry the Bowden wire 2B9 directly rearwardly to the handle bar, as shown in Fig. 22. The outer casing of the Bowden wire will then be fastened to a member 2 It on the top of the mount. The Bowden wire 2% is provided with a core 2! I, which similarly operates a trigger operating member 2I2, the operation of this member being entirely similar to the member I63 of Fig. 15. The wire 209 runs to a similar controlling handle on the handle bar to that previously described.

In Figs. 26 and 27, there is shown a novel head for supporting a machine gun of the Reisser Referring to Fig. 26, the gun is indicated in general by the reference numeral 2I3, and the novel supporting head is indicated in general by the reference numeral 2M. The head is provided with a casing 2I5, similar to the casing 58 of the support shown in Fig. l, and similarly supported in general. The upper end of the casing 2| 5 is provided with a top 2I6 which receives the trigger guard indicated in Fig. 26 at 2I1. Hook members are provided to clamp the trigger guard in place, of which one is shown and indicated at 2I8. It is to be understood that a similar complementary hook member is provided, and that the hook member 2I8 and complementary hook member reciprocate upwardly and downwardly through the top portion 2I6 to clamp the trigger guard in place, this action being similar to that of the hook members 96 and 91. The hook member 2I8, however, is provided with a laterally extending bail 2I9, adapted to receive the portion 220 of a lever 22I, pivoted on the head 2I4 as by a pivot 222 which projects from a lug 2'23 integral with the head 2I4. The end of the lever 22I remote from the portion 220 is provided with a roller 224. It will be noted further that the head 2I4 is provided with an open portion 225 at the forward end thereof which is adapted to receive the magazine of the gun indicated at 226 and the magazine receiving portion 221. When the gun is placed in position on the head 2W4, therefore, and the hook member 2H3 is moved downwardly in the same manner as described in connection with the hook member 96 of the first described modification, the bail 2I9 is moved downwardly, and the roller 224 is moved upwardly to clamp the magazine receiving portion 221, so that the gun is then held both by the magazine receiving portion and its trigger guard.

Referring to Fig. 28, there is shown a supporting arrangement for the mount of the present invention which is adapted to be used.

' 11 on a vehicle having a considerable supporting surface, such as an automobile, truck or boat. In this type of support, a base member 228 is provided having turned end flanges 229 and 2351. The base member 228 in other respects is similar to the base member l2 of Fig. 1, and the other portions of the mount may also be entirely similar to any of the mounts herein described. The flanges 229 and 232] fit slidably beneath complementary flanges 23! and 249, projecting from a member ML The member 2G! in turn is bolted as by bolts 242 to the hood of a vehicle indicated at 243 in Fig. 29, or to any other suitable flat surface. The member 24! may be pro vided with calibrations 242, so that the base 228 can be slid to any designated position, as indicated by the pointers 24-5 and 245. The base member 228 can then be clamped in position by means of the clamping screws 2%? and 243. The gun to be mounted on this mount can be controlled from the side of the vehicle by remote control trigger mechanism, such as that indicated at 249. In the alternative, the gun can be fired from a foot control trigger mechanism such as that shown in Fig. 30, and indicated in general by the reference numeral 252. The trigger operating mechanism 25% consists of a foot pedal 25!, pivoted on the floor of the vehicle at 252, and normally spring pressed upwardly by a spring 253. An operating wire 254 having a similar function to the wire it! previously described is provided, encased in an outer casing 255. The wire 256 is fastened to the free end of the foot pedal 25! by a screw 256, and the casing 255 is clamped to the floor board of the vehicle by a clamp indicated at 251. A safety latch 258 for the pedal 25| is pivoted on the floor of the vehicle by means of a pin 259, and is provided with a notch 25!! which normally fits about and prevents downward movement of the pedal 25!. A spring 2'5! presses the safety latch 258 into engagement with the pedal 25!. The operator of the vehicle can, therefore, fire the gun by moving his foot to the left to turn the latch 258 about its pivot, and then by pressing the pedal 25! downwardly to pull the wire 25 5. Unless, however, this multiple foot movement is performed, the pedal 25! can not be depressed to fire the gun. V

In Figs. 40 to 46, inclusive, there is disclosed a pointing arrangement for remote control where the mount of the present invention is mounted at a distance from the driver of the vehicle. The mount for the gun H is indicated in general at 262, and the pointing or sighting piece is indicated in general at 253. The mount 262 is provided with a supporting disk member best shown in Fig. 41 and indicated at 28 5. This disk member may be mounted for rotation in a horizontal plane in a manner similar to the disk member 43 of Fig. 15. The disk member 2'64 is rotated by a pair of wires 258 and 269 fastened to the periphery thereof and similarly fastened to a disk 2'32. However, the disk member 212 is provided with calibrations, indicated at 265, adapted to cooperate with a pointing insignia 266, so that the initial position of the disk 2712 may be ascertained for calibration purposes. The periphery of the disk 212 is dished in, as indicated at 267 in Fig. 44, and the pair of wire members 228 and 259 are passed about the periphery of the disk 284 and fastened respectively at 270 and 21!. Since, as stated, these wires are similarly fastened to the disk 284, movement of these wires by the disk 272 will, therefore, rotate the disk member 264 in a horizontal plane.

a As shown in Fig. 42, the disk member 272 is journalled into a base member 2% for rotation, and also serves to support the pointing piece 263. Horizontal traversing movement of the pointing piece will, therefore, produce a similar horizontal traversing movement of the mount 252 and the gun H. The pointing piece 263 is mounted for vertical traversing movement on a pivot 2M, extending from a standard 215 supported by the disk 212. The pointing piece 283 is also provided with a disk member 215a, which is rotatable in a vertical plane with the pointing piece 283 about the pivot 2%. Wires 215 and 2H connect the disk member N50, with a similarly disposed disk member 228 mounted for vertical traversing movements with the mount 262. This connection of the wires 276 and 2'51 is similar to the arrangement of the wires 2% and 262, so that vertical traversing movement of the pointing piece 263 will move through the wires 2'56 and 27?, the mount 262 and gun I carried thereby. The pointin piece is provided with a rear sight 21S! and a rent sight so that it may be pointed in any direction and aimed at an object at will. It is to be understood that the mount 262 will then be calibrated so that it will similarly point the gun H. A trigger 28E is provided on the pointing piece 263, and connected by a wire 282 with a trigger operator on the mount 262. The function of the wire 232 is entirely similar to that of the wire Hill, previously described. A bracket 283 is rovided to prevent movement of the outer casing 286 for the Wire 282. The trigger 28! is pivoted at 285 on a bracket 286 carried by the pointing piece 253. A safety latch 281, best shown in Fig. 46, extends through the lower end of the bracket 2%, and is provided with a notch 288 which will allow movement of the upper end of the trigger when aligned therewith, and prevent movement of the upper end of the trigger 289 when in the position shown in Fig. 46.

It is to be understood that the locking member 287 is preferably square or flattened in cross section, so that it can not turn in the bracket 286, and may be frictionally held in any designated axial position, or by means of a spring. In addition to the trigger, a fixed handlg member 2951 is provided at the rear end of the pointing piece 253, and a movable handle member 28! is interposed between the trigger 28! and the handle 2%. The movable handle member 29! is slidably mounted on the pointing piece, and is fastened to a wire 292, as indicated at 293. The Wire 2922 at the end remote from its fastening 293, extends into the lower end of the mount 263, and is fastened at 254 to a wedge 255, slidably mounted in a standard 296, as shown in Fig. 45. The standard 295 extends upwardly from the disk 212, previously described. Mounted in the standard for vertical reciprocating movement is a pair of rods 29? and 298. The lower end of the rod 293 is provided with a pin 299, which is adapted to extend into an opening 366 in the stationary base member 331 to prevent the rotation of the disk 212. Similarly, the rod 291 is provided with a braking portion 322 which bears against the disk 275a to prevent rotation of the disk. Movement of the wedge 225 to the right, therefore, as shown in Fig. 45, tends to apply the brake members 299 and 392 to prevent both horizontal and vertical movements of the mount 252 and the gun H. Movement of the wedge 225 to the left, as shown in Fig. l5 will, therefore, permit the rods 297 and 298 to move the braking members 299 and 3572 to a releasing position. A spring 303 is provided to move the wedge 295 to the left to unlock the brake, and since the wire 292 is attached to the right hand edge of the wedge, the wedge can be moved to the right thereby. When the handle member 29! is moved into a left hand position, as shown in Fig. 42, the wire 292 i pulled to move the wedge 295 to the right and prevent movement of the gun i i, and when the handle 29! is released, it will naturally move to the right, as shown in Fig. 2, to allow movement of the mount 252 for aimin purposes. By means of this arrangement, the gun H can be pointed by the pointing piece 263, and then held in the pointed position by holding the handle 29! and moving the same to the left, as shown in Fig. 42. Obviously, th s arrangement may be reversed, and movement of the handle to the left used to release the gun rather than to lock the same.

While the mount of the present invention is disclosed as engaging the trigger guard of the gun, some guns do not have any trigger guard and when this is true, the holdin means or hook members 83 and 89 may be proportioned so that they engage and cooperate with other parts of the carrying member.

While the mount of the present invention is primarily adapted for securely holding a gun, it may be used for holding other instruments as for example cameras, transits, sound instruments for detecting the approach of aeroplanes and any other desired equipment.

l/Vhat I claim is:

1. In a mount for an instrument having a portion to be engaged, a pair of hook members for engaging said instrument portion, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the portion therebetween, and downwardly and convergently to clamp said portion in position, and a second means to impart an additional downward movement to said hook members.

2. In a mount for an instrument having a portion to be engaged, a pair of hook members for engaging said instrument portion, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the portion therebetween, and downwardly and convergently to clamp said portion in position, a second means to impart an additional downward movement to said hook members, and a single manually movable handle for operating both of said last mentioned means.

3. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, a casing member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top, a pair of hook members extending through the top of said casing member for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, a slide member mounted in said casing for sliding movement, means extending from said slide member 'for pivotally supporting said hook members, means to guide said hook members inwardly as said slide member and hook members are moved downwardly, and outwardly as said slide and hook members are moved upwardly, and means extending from said slide for engaging said guard as the same is lowered upon said casing to assist in moving said slide downwardly and cause said hook members to move inwardly to grasp said guard.

4. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, a casing member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top, a pair of hook members extending through the top of said casing member for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, a slide member mounted in said casing for sliding movement, means extending from said slide member for pivotally supporting said hook members, means to guide said hook members inwardly as said slide member and hook members are moved downwardly, and outwardly as said slide and hook members are moved upwardly, and means extending from said slide for engaging said guard as the same is lowered upon said casing to assist in moving said slide downwardly and cause said hook members to move inwardly to grasp said guard, said guide means including guide portions on each side of each of said hook members, said guide portions being positioned upon a line substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal aXis of said hook members so that said portions will closely contact the sides of said hook members in both upward and downward positions.

5. In a mount for an instrument having a portion to be engaged, a casing member for supporting said instrument, a pair of hook members extending from said casing member for engaging the portion of said instrument, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the portion therebetween, and downwardly and convergently to clamp said portion in position, a second means to impart an ad ditional downward movement to said hook members, a single manually movable handle for operating both of said last mentioned means, a bayonet slot in said casing through which said handle projects, said slot including an enlarged portion and a relatively narrow portion, an enlarged portion on said handle for fitting into the enlarged portion of said bayonet slot to retain said handle in downward position to similarly retain said hook members in downward position, and a narrow portion on said handle cooperating with the narrow portion of said slot when said handle is in upward position, and said hook members are in upward and outward position.

6. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, a casing member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top, a pair of hook menibers extending through the top of said casing member for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, a slide member mounted in said casing for sliding movement, means extending from said slide member for pivotally supporting said hook members, means to guide said hook members inwardly as said slide members and hook members are moved downwardly, and outwardly as said slide and hook members are moved upwardly, means extending from said slide for engaging said guard as the same is lowered upon said casing to assist in moving said slide downwardly and cause said hook members to move inwardly to grasp said guard, means to move said sliding member upwardly and downwardly, a second means to impart an additional downward movement to said slide, and a single manually movable handle for operating both of said last mentioned means.

7. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard. a casing member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top, a pair of hook members extending through the top of said casing member for engagement with the trigger guard of said gun, a slide member mounted in said casing for pivotally supporting said hook members, means to guide said hook members inwardly as said slide members and hook members are rnoved downwardly and outwardly as said slide and hook members are moved upwardly, means extending from said slide for engaging said guard as the same is lowered upon said casing to move said slide downwardly and cause said hook members to move inwardly to grasp said guard, means to move said slide member upwardly and downwardly, a handle for moving said last mentioned means, and means to retain said handle in its lower position to similarly retain said slide and hook members in their downward and inward positions to secure said guard.

8. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, means for engaging the trigger guard of said gun to prevent movement thereof on said mount, means to move said first mentioned means in one direction to release said guard and in a second direction to secure said guard on said mount, and a second means to impart an additional move-- ment to saidfirst mentioned means and prevent relative play between said guard and mount, said last mentioned means including a cam and a ng means therefor.

9. in a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, p ir oi members for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, means to move said hook mbers upwardly and outwardly to allow the otry of the t 'igger guard therebetween, and d vnwardly and convergently to clamp said trigguard in position, a second means to impart an additional downward movement to said hook members, said last mentioned means including a cam associated with said first mentioned means,

means to guide same cam.

10. In amount for a gun having a trigger guard, ca ng member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top, a pair of hook members extending through the top of said casing member for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, a siide member mounted in said casing for pivotafiy supporting said hook members, means to guide said hook members inwardly as said slide member and hook members are moved downwardly, and outwardly as said slide member and hook members are moved upwardly, means to move slide upwardly and downwardly including a handle and a cam on said handle extending into and cooperating with a portion of said slide member so that rotation of said handle will impart an additional downward movement to said slide.

11. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, a casing member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top provided with a guide slot therein, a pair of hook members extending through the top of said casing member for e ging the trigger guard of said gun, a trigger operating member having a portion extending through the guide slot in said casing top, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the trigger guard therebetween and downwardly and convergently to clamp said trigger guard in position, means to move said trigger operating member when said trigger guard is positioned between said hook memb rs and clamped thereby, and means to prevent the movement of said trigger operating member when said hook members are in their upward and outward position.

12. In a mount for a gun having a trigger a casing member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top, a pair of hook members extending through the top of said casing member for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, a guide slot formed in said casing top adjacent one of said hook members, a trigger operating member having a portion extending through said guide slot, and a trigger operating portion positioned adjacent one of said hook members when said hook member is in an upward position so that said hook member in said position prevents movement of said trigger operating member along said guide slot, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the trigger guard therebetween and downwardly and convergently to clamp said trigger guard in position and allow movement of said trigger operating member, and means to move said trigger operating member.

13. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, a casing member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top, a pair of hook memb rs extending through the top of said casing member for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, a guide slot formed in said casing top adjas it one of said hook members, a trigger operating member having a portion extending through said guide slot, and a trigger operating portion positioned adjacent one of said hook members when said hook member is in an upward position so that said hook member in said position prevents movement of said trigger operating memher along said guide slot, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the trigger guard therebetween and downwardly and convergently to clamp said trigger guard in position and allow movement of said trigger operating member, a remotely positioned trigger operating handle, and a wire operating member having one end fastened to said trigger operating member and a second end fastened to said remotely positioned trigger operating handle.

14. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, a casing member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top, a pair of hook members extending through the top of said casing member for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, a guide slot formed in said casing top adjacent one of said hook members, a trigger operating member having a portion extending through said guide slot, and a trigger operating portion positioned adjacent one of said hook members when said hook member is in an upward position so that said hook member in said position prevents movement of said trigger operating member along said guide slot, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the trigger guard thereb-etween and downwardly and convergently to clamp said trigger guard in position and allow movement of said trigger operating member, a remotely positioned trigger operating handle, a wire operating member having one end fastened to said trigger operating member and a second end fastened to said remotely positioned trigger operating handie, and guiding means for said wire associated with said casing.

15. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, a casing member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top adapted to receive the trigger guard of said gun, a trigger operating member projecting through the top of said casing for operating the trigger of said gun, means for preventing operation of said triggeroperating means when there is no gun in position on the mount, a trigger handle assembly remotely positioned relative to said casing and including a stationary portion and a movable handle portion, an operating wire having one of its ends connected to said trigger operating member and its other end connected to said operating handle, and a casing member about said wire having one end connected to said mount casing guard, a casing member for supporting said gun,

said casing member having a top adapted to receive the trigger guard of said gun, means for clamping said gun by the trigger guard on the casing top, a trigger operating member projecting through the top of said casing for operating the trigger of said gun, a trigger handle assembly remotely positioned relative to said casing and including a stationary portion and a movable handle portion, an operating wire having one of its ends connected to said trigger operating member and its other end connected to said operating handle, a casing member about said wire having one end connected to said mount casing and the other end connected to the stationary portion of said trigger handle assembly, and means comprised by part of said clamping means for preventing movement of said trigger operating handle.

17. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, a casing member for supporting said gun, said casing member having a top adapted to receive the trigger guard of said gun, a trigger operating member projecting through ,the top of said casing for operating the trigger of said gun, a trigger handle assembly remotely positioned relative to said casing and including a stationary portion and a movable handle portion, an operating wire having one of its ends connected to said trigger operating member and its other end connected to said operating handle, a casing member about said wire having one end connected to said mount casing and the other end connected to the stationary portion of said trigger handle assembly, and means for preventing movement of said trigger operating handle including a second handle portion and means for locking said trigger operating handle actuated by said second handle portion.

18. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard, a pair of hook members for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the trigger guard therebetween, and downwardly and convergently to clamp said trigger guard in position, a second means to impart an additional downward movement to said hook members, a casing member about said hook members having a top for supporting said trigger guard, an auxiliary supporting portion extending from said casing member, and means to detachably hook said auxiliary supporting portion to said gun, said last mentioned means being operative to prevent the removal of said gun therefrom until said gun is moved away from said hook members.

19. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard and a gun sling holding bracket, a pair of hook members for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the trigger guard therebetween, and downwardly and convergently to clamp said trigger guard in position, a second means to impart an additional downward movement to said hook members, a casing member about said hook members for supporting said trigger guard, a supporting member extending forwardly from said casing, and means at the upper end of said additional supporting member extending about the gun sling holding bracket, said last mentioned means being adapted to prevent removal of said gun there- 18 from until the trigger guard of said gun is moved upwardly from said hook members.

20. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard and a receiver having a rear end, a pair ,of hook members for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the trigger guard therebetween, and downwardly and convergently to clamp said trigger guard in position, a second means to impart an additional downward movement to said hook members, a casing member about said hook members for supporting said trigger guard, an auxiliary supporting member extending rearwardly from said casing member, and means at the upper end of said auxiliary supporting member for grasping the rear end of the receiver of said gun.

21; In a mount for mounting a gun having a trigger guard on a motorcycle having a handle bar and a front mud guard, a pair of hook members for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the trigger guard therebetween, and downwardly and convergently to clamp said trigger guard in position, a second means to impart an additional downward movement to said hook members, a casing about said hook members for supporting the trigger guard of said gun, and means to support said casing on the motorcycle at a relatively high elevation thereon, said last mentioned means including a supporting member extending from the handle bars of said motorcycle, and a second supporting member extending from the front mud guard thereof.

22. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard and a receiver having a, rear end on a motorcycle having a front mud guard and handle bars, a pair of hook members for engaging the trigger guard of said gun, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the trigger guard therebetween, and downwardly and convergently to clamp said trigger guard in position, a second means to impart an additional downward movement to said hook members, a casing about said hook members for supporting said trigger guard, an auxiliary supporting member extending rearwardly from said casing, means at the upper end of said auxiliary supporting member for grasping the rear end of the receiver of said gun, and means to support said casing from the motorcycle, said last mentioned means including supporting members fastened to the mud guard of said motorcycle, and a second set of supporting members fastened to the handle bars thereof.

23. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard and a receiver having a lower end provided with grooves, a pair of hook members for engaging the trigger guard of saidgun, means to move said hook members upwardly and outwardly to allow the entry of the trigger guard therebetween, and downwardly and convergently to clamp said trigger guard in position, a casing about said hook members, a second means to impart an additional downward movement to said hook members, an auxiliary supporting member extending rearwardly from said casing, a guide member pivoted at the upper end of said auxiliary support and provided with inwardly turned portions for fitting into the grooves at the lower end of the receiver of said gun, and a spring pressed pawl extending through said guide member into engagement with the receiver of said gun.

24. In a, mount for 'a gun having a "trigger guard on a motorcyclie'having handle bars, a front mud guard and afr'o'n't axlegenerailysupporting the handle bars and "front mu'd guard, a casing member adapted to support the trigger guard of said gun, means within said casing member to clamp said trigger guard on "said casing, and means including supporting members fastened to the handle 'bars and additional supporting members attachedt'o the front mudguard to support said casing on a motorcycle so that substantially all of the weight "of said mount and gun is carried by the front "axle of said motorcycle.

25. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard and a magazinereceiving portion provided with 'a magazine, a pair of hook members for engaging'the trigger guard of said gun, a forwardly extending portion of said mount pro- 20 vided with an opening to receive the magazine of said gun, and means extending forwardly from said hook members and adapted to engage the magazine receiving portion of said gun to clamp the same on said mount.

26. In a mount for a gun having a trigger guard and a magazine receiving portion provided with a magazine, a gun receiving head provided with an opening for receiving the maga zine of said gun and a rear portion adapted to support the trigger guard of said gun, means projecting upwardly from said rear to engage said trigger guard, a second means pivoted on said head and adapted to engage the magazine receiving portion of said gun, and means 'to simultaneously move both of said first mentioned means.

GREENHOW JOHNSTON. 

